Disposable pre-charged dental handpiece



June 25, 1968 E. w. LEWIS ET Al. 3,389,468

DISPOSABLE PRE-CHARGED DENTAL HANDPIECE Filed Dec. 23, 1964 3Sheets-Sheet 1 82 /l/l/l/l/l/l/l l/r i115?" 'i if .1

2a 42 le l2 32 46 24 D A 4o -f ugene ems 56 5 F /6`. 4 Fu//er warden 58Jac/r H. Mills Bernard FT McN/bk/e June 25, 1968 E. w. LEWIS ET AL3,389,468

DISPQSABLE PRE-CHARGED DENTAL HANDPIECE Filed Deo. 25, 1964 3Sheets-Sheet 2 12o 14+ 142 14o ,38 /22 ,36 fm1 f f IJ/V/ A1// ///f// ,60 u f5. I

171sa lao im l64 ab 1 lez 1134` I l #l 1 INVENTORS Eugene W. Lew/sl Fu//er Warden Jack H. Mil/s Bernard .E McN/'clr/e June 25, 1968 E. w. IEwls ET AL. 3,389,468

DISPOSABLE PRE-CHARGED DENTAL HANDPIECE Filed Dec. 23, 1964 3Sheets-Sheet, 3

INVENTOR. Eugene W. Lewis Ful/er Warden Jack H. Mil/s Bernard l-TMcNick/e AGENT /f @ma United 'States Patent O ice 3,389,468 DISPSAHBLEPRE-CHARGED DENTAL EIANDPIECE Eugene W. Lewis, Fuller Warden, and JackH. Mills, all

of 3233 E. 31st St. 74105, and Bernard F. McNickle,

5417 E. 37th St. 74135, all of Tulsa Okla.

Filed Dec. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 420,495 16 Claims. (Cl. 152-59) ABSTRACT FTHE DISCLOSURE A dental handpiece comprising a disposable cartridgepreloaded with a quantity of paste-like material and having means forejecting the paste from the cartridge and into a rotatable cup wherebythe paste material may be applied to the teeth of a patient by the cupfor cleaning or otherwise treating the teeth.

This invention relates to improvements in dental appliances and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a disposable or partiallydisposable prophylactic dental handpiece having a supply of an abrasivepaste, or the like, provided therein for direct application to the toothsurface in the proximity ofthe polishing `cup member.

The most common method in widespread use today among dentists for thecleaning of teeth consists of the utilization of an abrasive polishingpaste in combination with a dental handpiece having a rotatablepolishing cup member thereon. The paste is normally carried or disposedin a relatively small jar or container and the polishing cup is manuallydipped into the supply of paste for coating of the cup with thepolishing or cleaning material. The coated polishing cup is then appliedto the surface of the teeth and the handpiece is actuated by thedentists usual power equipment for rotating of the cup. This procedureof dipping the polishing cup into the supply of paste and applying thecoated cup to the surface of the teeth is not only time consuming forthe dentist, but also, the normal rotational speed of the coated cupmember causes portions of the paste to be thrown from the cup due tocentrifugal force. As a result, the polishing of the teeth is undulytime consuming and of discomfort to both the patient and the dentist.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of the above methods for cleaningof teeth, some attempts have been made to provide a dental handpiecehaving an internal supply of polishing paste which may be ejecteddirectly onto the surface of the teeth rather than requiring dipping ofthe polishing cup into the paste. One type of device is depicted in theV. E. Britt et al. Patent No. 2,400,912, issued May 28, 1946, andentitled Dental Appliance. However, this device is of an extremelyComplex and expensive structure, and recharging of the device with asupply of paste is difficult. Another example of an attempt to eject thepaste directly onto the tooth surface is shown in the D. S. Fridge, Sr.Patent No. 2,738,528, issued Mar. 20, 1956, and entitled ProphylacticDental Handpiece. With this structure it is somewhat difficult toachieve any uniform ejection of the paste onto the tooth surface.

The present invention contemplates a novel dental handpiece of the typehereinbefore set forth and which is particularly designed andconstructed for providing a disposable handpiece which is precharged orpreloaded with a prophylaxis polishing paste, or the like, in sufficientquantities for one cleaning application. Subsequent to the cleaning of apatients teeth, the entire device, or at least a portion thereof, may bethrown away, and a new cartridge or handpiece may be utilized for thenext cleaning 3,389,468 Patented June 25, 1968 operation. The noveldevice comprises a main housing adapted to be secured to the usual powerequipment normally found in a dentists otiice for operation thereby. Thehousing is precharged with a supply of suitable paste for performing thedesired operation on the teeth and is provided with means for ejectingthe paste from the housing continually during operation of the tool. Ahead portion carrying a polishing cup thereon is provided on the outerextremity of the housing for receiving the paste during operation of thetool and for directing the paste to the interior portion of thepolishing cup. The drive mechanism provided in the main housing issuitably connected between the cup member and the power equipment totransmit rotation to the cup simultaneously with the ejection of thepaste from the housing, thus providing an efficient and economicalmethod and means for the cleaning of teeth.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel dentalappliance particularly designed for facilitating the cleaning of teeth.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel dental handpiececontaining an internal supply of cleaning or polishing paste which maybe ejected eiiiciently to the surface of teeth during a cleaningoperation.

Still another object of this `invention is to provide a novel dentalhandpiece containing a precharged supply of dental paste and which is ofan economical construction wherein at least a portion thereof is readilydisposable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel disposablecartridge containing a preloaded supply of dental paste.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a noveldisposable dental handpiece for facilitating the cleaning of teeth andwhich may be utilized with the usual power equipment normally present ina dentists office.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection With adetailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a sectional elevational View of a dental appliance embodyingthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a housing structure for thedevice depicted in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view of a modified housing structurefor a dental appliance embodying the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevational view of the head portion of thedental appliance depicted in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of a dental appliance embodying theinvention as shown in FIGURE l, but on a reduced scale.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the vertical gear depictedin FIGURES l and 4.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional elevational view of a further modification ofthe invention with portions depicted in elevation for purposes ofillustration.

FIGURE 8 is a broken sectional view partly in elevation showing amodified gear arrangement and cup member.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 depicting another type of cupmember.

FIGURE l0 is a sectional elevational view of another modification of theinvention with portions depicted in elevation for purposes ofillustration.

FIGURE l1 is a side elevational view of the propellent member shown inFIGURE 10.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generallyindicates a dental handpiece adapted for use with the usual powerequipment (not shown) normally utilized in a dental office and comprisesa main substantially cylindrical housing portion 12 preferablyconstructed of a suitable plastic material for an economy ofconstruction wherein the entire tool may be disposable. The housing7 12is preferably enlarged at 14 for ready insertion or disposition on thepower equipment in the usual manner of dental handpieces. In addition,the outer extremity of the housing 12 may be provided with alongitudinally extending slot 16 for receiving a portion of the power ordental equipment therein as is common in this type of hand tool. Theleft end of the housing 12 as viewed in the drawings is provided with aninwardly directed annular shoulder 18 having a bore 2t) extendingtherethrough for receiving one end of a drive shaft 22.

The drive shaft 22 may be coupled with the dental equipment power supplyin the usual manner (not shown) for rotation thereby. The drive shaft 22is provided with an outwardly extending collar member 24 spaced slightlyfrom one end thereof for engaging the shoulder 18 for a purpose as willbe hereinafter set forth. The bore is enlarged at 26 for receiving asuitable bevel gear member, or the like, 28 which is threadily orotherwise secured to the outer end of the drive shaft 22. It will beapparent from FIGURE 1 that the gear 28 provides a shoulder 30 forengaging the shoulder 18 of the housing 12 and cooperates with thecollar 24 for retaining the drive shaft 22 in position within thehousing 12. As shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, the bore 20 is offset fromthe longitudinal axis of the main housing 12, thus positioning the shaft22 offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

A head portion generally indicated at 32 is provided on the housing 12and comprises an internal bore 34 extending Substantiallyperpendicularly with respect to the internal bore 36 of the housing 12.The bore or enlarged portion 26 extends into communication with the bore34 as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. A centrally disposed rod member 38extends longitudinally through the bore 34 and is provided with acentral passageway 40 extending therethrough into communication with aperpendicularly arranged passageway 42 which, in turn, extends intocommunication with the bore 36 of the housing 12. The head member 32 ispreferably constructed of a similar plastic material, or the like, asthat of the housing 12 and may be either an integral part thereof or aseparate piece united therewith in any suitable manner, such as byfusing, or the like.

A hub member 44 is journalled on the rod member 38 in any suitablemanner (not shown) and is provided with an idler bevel gear member 46journalled adjacent one end thereof and supported by an annular shoulder43. A suitable lock ring 45, or the like, may be provided for re tainingthe gear 46 on the hub 44. A second bevel gear l member 48 is spacedfrom the first gear 46 whereby both gears 46 and 48 engage the gear 28as clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 for rotation thereby. The gear 48may be either keyed to the hub 44 or integral therewith for transmittingrotation from the gear 28 to the hub 44.

A polishing cup member 50 is secured in any suitable manner such as bythreading as shown at 52 in FIGURE 4 and rotates simultaneously with thehub 44. The cup 50 may be constructed of any suitable tiexible orresilient material such as rubber, plastic, or the like, and is providedwith an interior chamber 58 in communication with the longitudinalpassageway 40 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The drive Istem 22, as shown in FIGURES l and 4, extends longitudinallythrough the housing 12 and is off-set from the central or longitudinalaxis thereof. However, the off-set portion 14 is so arranged that theopen right hand end 60 of the housing 12 is concentric with respect tothe drive shaft 22 in other to facilitate connection of the drive shaftand tool 10 with the power equipment (not shown) as hereinbefore setforth. A plunger 62 is carried by the drive shaft 22 and is providedwith an offset bore (not shown) extending therethrough for receiving thedrive shaft whereby the drive shaft is offset from the axial center ofthe piston 62. An outwardly extending spiral or helical shoulder portion64 is provided around the outer periphery of a portion of the shaft 22and cooperates with a complementary groove (not shown) provided on theinner periphery of the bore of the piston 62. As the drive shaftrotates, the piston 62 can not rotate therewith due to the offsetdisposition of the shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.Consequently, the spiral shoulder 64 and complementary groove providedin the piston 62 move the piston 62 longitudinally within the housing 12as the shaft 22 is rotated. It will be apparent that rotation of thedrive shaft 22 in one direction will move the piston 62 in a directiontoward the shoulder 18 whereas rotation of the drive shaft in anopposite direction will move the piston 62 in a 4direction away from theshoul` der 18.

The housing 12 is precharged or preloaded with a preselected quantity ofsuitable material, such as an abrasive polishing paste, or the like,prior to the insertion of the piston 62 within the housing 12. Thepiston 62 may then be disposed within the housing 12 and preferably atthe juncture of the enlarged portion 14 and bore 36. The piston 62 thusseals the paste within the chamber 66 which is formed between the piston62 and shoulder 18. It will be apparent that O-rings, or the like, (notshown) may be provided in the annular grooves 58 provided on the outerperiphery of the piston, if desired. Rotation of the drive shaft 22 in adirection for moving the piston 62 toward the shoulder 18 forces thepaste within the chamber 62 outwardly through the passageway 42 andthrough the pasageway 40 into the interior chamber 58 of the cup Si).Simultaneously the rotation of the drive shaft 22 rotates the gear 28which, in turn, transmits rotation to the hub 44 and cup 50. Thus, thepaste or material from the charnber 66 is urged into the interior S8 ofthe cup 50 continually during rotation of the drive shaft 22 androtation of the cup 50.

As hereinbefore set forth, the housing 12 and head 32 may be of aunitary construction or the head 32 may be a separate piece united withthe housing 12 in any suitable manner. In the event the housing 12 andhead 32 are of a unitary con-struction, it may be preferable to providetwo substantially identical half sections with the housing 12 and head32 split substantially along the axial center line thereof in order tofacilitate insertion of the shaft 22 and hub 44 therein. Of course, thetwo half sections may be fused together or otherwise united to provide aunitary structure. In the event the head portion 32 is a separate piecefrom the housing 12, the head 32 may be of a snap on design (not shown)for facilitating assembly of the head 32 and hub 44 with the housing 12and drive shaft 22. In any event, `the entire structure is of anextremely economical construction and may be thrown away or otherwisedisposed of subsequent to the utilization of the paste preloaded in thechamber 66.

OPERATION The hand tool 10 may be readily attached to the usual dentistspower equipment (not shown) in any wel] known manner whereby the driveshaft 22 is coupled to the output shaft of the dental power supply 'andthe enlarged portion 14 of the housing 12 is inserted in the usualmanner on the equipment. As the power equipment is actuated, rotation istransmitted to the shaft 22 for simultaneously rotating the cup 50 andmoving the plunger or piston 62 in a direction toward the hub 44. Themovement of the piston 62 forces the preloaded supply of paste withinthe chamber 66 outwardly through the passageways 42 and 4t) fordischarge into the chamber 58 within the cup 5G. The paste may thus beapplied directly to the surface of the teeth being cleaned and therotation of the cup provides the polishing and cleaning action as isusual in this type of tool.

It is preferable that the charge or preloaded quantity of paste withinthe chamber 66 be sufficient for a single teeth assegna cleaningoperation or for the cleaning of the teeth of one patient. When thecleaning operation has been completed, the tool may be removed from thepower equipment and discarded.

MODIFIED STRUCTURE Referring now to FIGURE 3, a modified tool generallyindicated at 70 is depicted which is generally similar to the tool 10,but of a slightly different construction. The hand piece 10 comprises asubstantially cylindrical housing '72 constructed of any suitableplastic or other disposable material and having one end 74 thereof openfor disposition on the usual power equipment as is well known and theother end thereof being provided with an inwardly directed annularshoulder 76. A substantially centrally disposed bore 78 is provided inthe shoulder 76 and is enlarged at S0 for a purpose as will behereinafter set forth. A head portion generally indicated at 82 isthreadily secured to the housing 72 at 84 and may be constructed from asimilar plastic material or may be metallic, or the like, as desired. ltwill be apparent that the head S2 may be secured to the housing 72 inany suitable manner and is not limited to the threaded connectiondepicted herein. For example, a snap on type connection may be pro*vided therebetween.

The head 82 is of a generally similar construction to the head 32 in thefirst embodiment and is provided with a bore S6 extending substantiallyperpendicularly with respect to the internal bore 88 of the tube orhousing 72. A centrally disposed rod member 90 extends through the bore86 and is provided with a centrally disposed longitudinally extendingbore or passageway 92. A perpendicularly disposed passage 94 which, inturn, communicates with an annular groove 96 provided on the exposedsurface of the shoulder 7 6. A passageway 98 extends through theshoulder 76 to provide communication between the annular groove 96 andthe interior of the housing or cartridge 72. The rod member 90 isadapted for receiving the hub member 44 in a similar manner ashereinbefore set forth in the first embodiment.

A drive shaft 100 (depicted in dotted lines in FIGURE 3) similar to thedrive shaft 22 extends longitudinally through the housing 72 and ispreferably substantially centrally disposed therein. An outwardlyextending collar member 102 similar to the collar 24 is provided on theouter peniphery of the drive shaft 100 and is slightly spaced from oneend thereof for abutment with the shoulder 76 as hereinbefore set forthin the rst embodiment. A bevel gear 11M is threadily or otherwisesecured to the left hand end of the shaft 10()` as viewed in Fl'GURE 3and extends into abutment with the shoulder 76 for securely positioningor retaining the shaft 100 in position within the housing 72. Of course,the gear 104 is similar to the gear 2S and functions for transmittingrotation to the hub 44 as hereinbefore set forth. A spirally extendingauger or inner peripheral wiping blade member 106 is provided on theouter periphery of the drive shaft and extends from the shoulder 76 to acircumferential flange member 108 ywhich may be integral with or securedto the drive shaft ltlt). The au ger 196 rotates simultaneously with thedrive shaft 10d.

The chamber 116 provided between the shoulder 76 and the flange 198 maybe preloaded with a supply of prcphylaxis polishing paste, or the like,and is preferably provided with a sufficient quantity for a single teethcleaning operation. The tool 70 may be secured to the dental powerequipment :as hereinbefore set -forth with the drive shaft 10i) coupledto the output shaft of the power equipment for rotation thereby. As theshaft 160 rotates in one direction, the auger forces or moves theingredients contained within the chamber 11G in -a direction toward theshoulder 76. The paste is then forced outwardly through the passageway9S and into the annular groove 96. From the groove 96, the paste isforced through the complementary passageways 94 and 92 and into theinterior chamber 58 of the cup 50.

When a cleaning operation has been completed or when the ingredientswithin the chamber 116` has been consumed or expended, the tool 72 maybe discarded or if the the head 82 is constructed from a more permanentor metallic material, the head 82 may be removed from the cartridge 72and the cartridge '72 may be discarded. A new cartridge 72 may beutilized with the head 72 for a subsequent cleaning operation. Ofcourse, the cup 50 may also be an expendable or disposable structure andmay be renewed or replaced for each new cleaning operation.

lt will be readily apparent that the auger 166 m-ay be utilized in theembodiment depicted in FIGURES l and 2, if desired. In this event, titwill be preferable to position the drive shaft 22 centrally within thehousing 12. It will be further apparent that there is no limitation tocleansing or polishing paste in combination with the novel handpiece butany suitable ingredients imay be utilized in conjunction therewith.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, a further modification of the invention isgenerally indicated at 120 and comprises an outer housing 122 preferablyof a substantially tubular construction, but not limited thereto. Thehousing 122 is enlarged at 124 for facilitating installation thereof onthe power equipment as hereinbefore set forth and is provided with abore 126 at the opposite end thereof extending substantiallyperpendicularly with respect to the internal bore 128 of the housing122.

A drive shaft 130 extends through the enlarged portion 124 and into theinternal bore 1.28 as clearly shown in FIGURE 7. A disc member 132 issecured in any suitable manner to the inner end of the shaft 130 orintegral therewith and is disposed within the bore 128. A wedge member134 is disposed around the shaft 130 in any suitable manner and may besecurely wedged in the bore 128 and in engagement with the disc 132 forretaining the disc 132 within the bore 128. A helical or spiral webmember 136 is secured to or integral with the disc 132 and extendslongitudinally therefrom in a direction opposite from the shaft 130. Asecond disc 138 is secured at the outer end of the web 136 or may beintegral therewith, as desired, and is disposed within the bore 128. Aspool member 140 is secured to or integral with the disc 138 and isprovided with an enlarged annular shoulder portion 142 at one endthereof spaced from the disc 138. A plurality of radially outwardlyextending teeth or spikes 144 are circumferentially spaced around theouter periphery of the shoulder portion 142 for a purpose as will behereinafter set forth.

A cup member 146 having an interior chamber 148 is disposed within thebore 126 and extends inwardly into the bore 128 into engagement with theteeth 144 as clean ly shown in FIGURE 7. An outwardly extending annularflange 150 is provided on the cup 148 for seating adjacent a spacer ring152 which, in turn, is supported by an yO-ring 154, or the like, whichYis wedged in the bore 126 around the cup 146. The ring 154 being tightlywedged in the bore 126 remains stationary but the spacer ring 152 isfree to rotate with the cup 146 as will be hereinafter set forth.

All of the parts of the tool 120 are preferably constructed of asuitable plastic material such as known by the trade name-s Delrin,Teon, or the like, but not limited thereto. It is preferable that thecup member 146i be made of a soft plastic or rubber material but thereis no limitation to the exact materials to be utilized. Suitableingredients, such as an abrasive polishing paste, or the like, isdisposed within the interior chamber 156 of the housing 122 and uponassembly of the tool 120 the paste is contained between the spaced discs132 and 138. A suitable recess 158 may be provided in the disc 138 andspool 140 for permit-ting passage of the paste from the chamber 156 intothe chamber 160 surrounding the spool. It has been found that a portionof the ingredients normally contained in this type of paste arelubricants for the plastic materials from which it is desirable toconstruct the tool 120.

lIn operation of the tool 120 shaft 130 may be coupled or secured to theoutput shaft of the power supply in any well known manner fortransmitting rotation to the disc 132. Rotation of the disc 132transmits rotation to the web 136 and disc 138 for rotating the spool140. Rotation of the web 136 urges the ingredients from chamber 156 intothe chamber 160 for discharge into the interior chamber 148 of the cup146. Rotation of the spool 146 causes the teeth 144 to bite into theupper end of the cup 146 for transmitting rotation thereto during ateeth cleaning or polishing operation. It will be readily apparent thatthe paste will be supplied to the interior of the cup 146 continuallyduring operation of the tool 120. When the ingredients have beenexpended or when a cleaning operation has been completed, the shaft 13()may be disconnected from the power equipment and the entire tool 120 maybe discarded.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, a tool 164 is depicted which is generallysimilar to the tool 12d and includes a web 136a similar to the web 136disposed within a housing 122g generally similar to the housing 122. Thehousing 122e is provided with an inwardly directed circumferentialshoulder 166 having a bore 168 extending therethrough for receiving agea-r member 170. The gear member 170 is provided with an enlarged headportion 172 at one end `thereof which is secured to or integral with theweb 136a and bears against the shoulder 166. The gear 170 is providedwith beveled gear teeth 174 oppositely disposed from the head 172 for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The bore 160 extends into communication with a bore 176 which is`disposed 4substantially perpendicularly with respect thereto. A recessportion 178 is provided in the bore 158 spaced above the bore 176 andco-axial with respect thereto and an angled passageway 180 providescommunication between the chamber 182 of the housing 122e and thechamber 184 formed in the bore 168 by the gear 178. A bevel gear member186 is disposed in the bore 176 and is provided with an upstanding hubportion 188 journalled in the recess 178 in any suitable manner (notshown). A downwardly Haring cup portion 190 (as viewed in FIGURE 8) isintegral with the gear 186 for a purpose as will be hereinafter setforth. A plurality of radially outwardly extending buttons orprojections 192 are circumferentially spaced around the outer peripheryof the gear 186 for engagement with an annular groove 194 provided inthe bore 176 whereby the entire gear 186 may be snapped into positiontherein. In addition, a longitudinally extending centrally disposedpassageway 186 extends through the gear 186 and is enlarged at 198 byoutwardly flaring sidewalls formed within the cup portion 190.

The gear 186 is preferably constructed from a suitable plastic, such asthe aforementioned Delrin or Teflon, or the like, wherein the more solidhub and gear portion thereof are substantially rigid whereas the cupportion is of a more flexible structure due to the tapered sidewallsthereof as clearly shown in FIGURE 8. In addition, the cup portion 19@is preferably of a pleated type construction whereby the centrifugalforce of the rotating cup combined with the pressure of the cup againstthe surface of the teeth being polished or cleaned will urge thesidewalls of the cup portion radially outwardly for improving theefficiency of the cleaning operation. Of course, it is also preferablethat the remaining portions of the tool 164 be constructed of a similarplastic material.

When the web 136 a is rotated as hereinbefore set forth, the gear 170will be rotated simultaneously therewith for transmitting rotation tothe gear 186 and cup portion 19t). Simultaneously, the ingredientswithin the chamber 182 will be urged into the passageway 180 and throughthe passageway 196 as the web 136a is rotated. Whereas the gear 170 isdepicted in FIGURE 8 in such a manner that the rotational axis thereofis olf-set from the rotational axis of the web 136e, the flexibility ofthe web permits efficient rotation of the gear 170. Of course, the gear17) may be positioned in axial alignment with the web 136e if desired.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, a tool 164er is depicted generally similar tothe tool 164. The housing 122/1 is substantially identical with thehousing 122g and is provided with an internally disposed web 13611carrying a gear 180o. An angled passageway 181m provides communicationbetween the chamber 182er and the chamber 184er formed by the gear 170eas set forth in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8. A bore 176:1 similarto the bore 176 is provided in the housing 122b for receiving a bevelgear member 200 therein. The gear 280 is generally `similar to the gear186 and is provided with an upwardly extending hub portion 202journalled in a recess 178a. A cup portion 204 extends downwardly asviewed in FIGURE 9 and is preferably an integral portion of the gear202. A rounded radially extending annular flange 206 is provided on theouter extremity of the cup 264 for engaging the tooth surface during acleaning operation. A passageway 298 extends completely through the gearmember 280 and into communication with the angular passageway 181m.

Rotation of the web 136b is hereinbefore set forth transmits rotation tothe gear 171m which, in turn, transmits rotation to the gear 280 forrotation of the cup member 284. Simultaneously, the ingredients withinthe chamber 182 are forced through the angled passageway 180e andlongitudinal passageway 208, thus providing a continual supply of thepaste through the cup 204 during rotation thereof. Whereas the axis ofrotation of the gear er is shown in FIGURE. 9, as being off-set from theaxis of rotation of the web 136b, it is to be noted that the gear 170amay be disposed in such a manner as to provide a common axis of rotationtherebetween.

As shown in FIGURES 10` and 11, a further modification of the inventionis depicted wherein a handpiece or tool generally indicated at 210comprises on outer housing 212 having a spiral web or inner peripheralwiping blade 214 generally similar to the web 136 disposed therein. Theweb 214 is carried by a. disc 216 rotatably disposed within the internalbore 218 of the housing 212. The disc 216 is carried by a suitable driveshaft 220 which may be coupled to the power supply as hereinbefore setforth and the disc 216 is retained within the bore 218 by a wedge member222.

A substantially semi-spherical member 224 Ais carried by the web 214 andis spaced from the disc 216 as clearly shown in the drawings. The bore218 is provided with a complementary semispherical seating shoulder 226for receiving the member 224 thereagainst. The bore 212 is enlarged atone end 228 for facilitating disposition of the tool 210 on the usualpower equipment and opened for facilitating disposition of the member214 therein. The opposite end of the lbore 218 extending beyond thespherical seat 226 is reduced and of an arcuate configuration, as shownat 231), and terminates in a bore or aperture 232 which is disposed atsubstantially right angles with respect to the bore 218.

A helical or spiral member 234 is carried by or integral with thesemi-spherical member 224 and carries a cup member 236 on the outerextremity thereof. Of course, it is to be understood that substantiallyany type of cup may be utilized in lieu of the cup 236. The cup 236 isprovided with a rounded radially outward extending circumferentialshoulder 238 on the outer extremity thereof for engagement with thesurface of the teeth to lbe cleaned. An outwardly extending annularshoulder 240 is provided at the juncture between the cup 236 and spiralmember 234 for disposition within the bore 232. A pair of suitable splitwashers 242 and 244 are disposed within the bore 232 for engagement withthe shoulder 248 to retain the cup member therein. The `ring 244 may bewedged within the ybore or otherwise secured therein, such as bysnapping, or the like, (not shown) and the ring 242 may be rotatablydisposed within the bore 232 for rotation simultaneously with the cup236 as will be hereinafter set forth. A centrally disposed bore 246`extends longitudinally through the cup portion 236 and is incommunication with the arcuate bore 230 in any suitable manner, such asby radially extending or angularly disposed bores (not shown) extendingthrough the cup. In addition, a recess or groove 243 is provided in themember 224 in order to establish communication between the bore 218 andthe bore 230 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The entire structure of the tool 21()` is preferably constructed `from asuitable plastic material wherein the entire device is of an economicalnature and may be readily discarded subsequent to the utilizationthereof. In addition, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1l, it is preferablethat the web 214, disc 216, shaft 2.2i), semi-spherical member 224,spiral portion 234 and cup 236 ybe of a unitary construction. When thetool 210 is assembled, the cup 23S may be inserted longitudinallythrough the bore 218 and moved therethrough until the lip or roundedflange 238 engages the sidewalls of the arcuate bore 230. Continuedmovement of the cup through the housing 212 causes a flexing of thespiral portion 234 whereby the cup moves through the arcuate bore 230and into the bore 232. Further movement in this direction is limited bythe engagement between the member 224 and the seat 226. This positionthe web 214 within the bore 21d and the wedge ring 222 may then beinserted around the disc 216 for securing the web 214 in position. Theretaining washers 242 and 244 may then be inserted around the cup 236and within the bore 232 for completing the assembly. Of course, it is tobe understood that the desired quantity of cleansing or polishing paste,or the like, is inserted into the bore 218 in any suitable manner (notshown) prior to the complete assembly of the tool 210.

Rotation of the shaft 220 by the power equipment as hereinbefore setforth is transmitted to the web 214 and to the member 224 for twistingor rotating the spiral portion 224 and transmitting rotation to the cup236. Simultaneous rotation of the web 214 forces the ingredients in thebore 218 through the groove 248 and into the arcuate bore 230` where itpasses through the longitudinal bore 246 and is thus continuallysupplied to the surface of the teeth during rotation of the cup for acleaning operation. Upon the completion of a cleaning operation, theentire tool 210 may be removed from the power equipment and discarded.

It is to be understood that each embodiment of the invention depictedherein is particularly designed for economy of construction in orderthat the entire tool may be discarded subsequent to a singlecleaningoperation. Of course, it is also to be noted that the cartridge portioncontaining the ingredients may be of a disposable nature and utilized incombination with a permanent head member, if desired.

'From the foregoing it will lbe apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel dental handpiece of a disposable construction. Theexpendable cartridge is preloaded or precharged with a `quantity ofcleansing or polishing paste, or the like, and is particularly designedand constructed for feeding or ejecting the paste into the interior of apolishing cup continually during operation of the tool. Subsequent tothe completion of a teeth cleaning operation, the entire tool may bediscarded or the paste containing cartridge thereof may be discarded.The novel dental handpiece tool is simple and eiiicient in operation andeconomical in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it`being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of theinvention may -be made within the scope of the following claims, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental handpiece comprising a plastic disposable unitary housing, adrive shaft journalled within the housing and extending longitudinallytherethrough for connection with an independent power source forrotation thereby, a chamber provided within the housing for receiving apreloaded quantity of paste like ingredients therein, gear means carriedat one end of the drive shaft and rotatable thereby, a head portionprovided on the housing and having an internal bore disposedsubstantially perpendicularly with respect to the internal bore of thehousing, hub means journalled within the bore of the hea-d member, gearmeans carried by the hub means and engageable by the first mentionedgear means for rotation thereby, cup means carried by the hub passagewaymeans disposed within the head portion and rotatable simultaneouslytherewith, means providing communication between the interior of the cupand the chamber in the housing, and

inner peripheral wiping blade means driven by the drive shaft forprogressively ejecting substantially all of the paste like material fromthe chamber to the interior of the cup simultaneously with rotation ofthe drive shaft and cup.

2. A dental handpiece comprising a plastic disposable unitary housing, adrive shaft journalled in the housing and extending longitudinallytherethrough, a chamber provided in the housing for receiving a pastelike material therein, a head member provided on one end of the housingand integral therewith and having an internal bore disposedsubstantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe housing, a centrally disposed rod member extending through the headmember' and integral therewith, passageway means extending through therod and head member and into communication with the chamber, a hubmember disposed within the bore of the head member and journalled on therod member, first gear means provided on one end of the drive shaft andextending into the bore of the hea-d member, second gear means providedon the hub member and engageable with the rst gear means for rotationthereby `whereby rotation is transmitted to the hub member, cup meanscarried by the hub member `and rotated simultaneously therewith, saidcup member being provided with an internal chamber in communication withthe passageway means, means carried by the drive `shaft and rotatabletherewith for progressively and continuously ejecting the paste likematerial from the chamber through the passageway means and into theinternal chamber of the cup member during rotation of the drive shaft.

3. disposable dental handpiece as set forth in claim 2 wherein theejecting means carried by the drive shaft comprises spiral meansprovided on the outer periphery ofthe drive shaft for cooperating withrotation of the drive shaft to urge the paste in a direction toward thepassageway means for ejection thereof from the chamber.

4. A plastic disposable -dental handpiece comprising a mam housingportion having one end thereof open and the opposite end thereofprovided with an inwardly directed annular shoulder, a drive shaftjournalled in the housing and extending longitudinally therethrough,means carried by the drive shaft and cooperating with the shoulder andhousing for forming an internal chamber therein `for receiving a pastelike material therein, a head member provided on the housing andoppositely disposed from the open end thereof, said head member beingprovided with an internal bore disposed substantially perpendicularlywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a centrallydisposed rod member provided in the head member and integral therewithand extendig longitudinally through said bore, a central passagewayextending longitudinally through the rod and into communication with aperpendicularly arranged passageway provided in the head member and incommunication with the chamber, a hub member journalled on the rodmember, a pair of spaced gear members provided on the outer periphery ofthe hub member, a complementary gear member provided on one end of thedrive shaft for rotation simultaneously therelt l with and in engagementwith the pair of spaced gear members carried by the hub member fortransmitting rotation to the hub member, cup means carried by the hubmember and having an internal chamber in communication with thelongitudinal passageway 0f the rod member, means carried by the driveshaft and rotatable therewith for progressively ejecting the paste likematerial from the chamber through the passageways and into the internalchamber of the cup upon rotation of the drive shaft.

5. A disposable dental handpiece as set forth in claim 4 wherein theejecting means comprises an inner peripl eral wiping blade meansprovided on the outer perip iery of the drive shaft `for forcing thepaste like material from the chamber and through the passagewnys duringrotation of the drive shaft.

6. A plastic disposable dental handpiece comprising a main housingportion having one end thereof open and the opposite end thereofprovided with an inwardly directed annular shoulder, a drive shaftjournalled in the housing and extending longitudinally therethrough,means carried by the drive shaft and cooperating with the shoulder andhousing for forming an internal chamber therein for receiving a pastelike material therein, a head member provided on the housing andoppositely disposed from the open end thereof, said head member beingprovided with an internal bore disposed substantially perpendicularlywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a centrallydisposed rod member provided in the head member and integral therewithand extending longitudinally through said bore, a central passagewayextending longitudinally through the rod and into communication with aperpendicularly arranged passageway provided in the head member and incommunication with the chamber, a hub member journallel on the rodmember, a pair of spaced gear members provided on the outer periphery ofthe hub member, a complementary gear member provided on one end of thedrive shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith and in engagement withthe pair of spaced gear members carried by the hub member fortransmitting rotation to the hub member, cup means carried by the hubmember and having an internal chamber in communication with thelongitudinal passageway of the rod member, a piston member carried bythe drive shaft and longitudinally movable therealong, a spiral shoulderprovided on the outer periphery of the drive shaft for cooperation withthe piston member for moving the piston in a direction toward theshoulder upon rotation of the drive shaft in one 4direction for ejectingthe paste like material from the chamber and through the passageways andinto the Iinternal chamber of the cup.

7. A plastic disposable dental handpiece comprising a man housingportion having one end thereof open and the opposite end thereofprovided with an inwardly directed annular shoulder, a drive shaftjou-rnalled in the housing and extending longitudinally therethrough,means ,Y

carried by the dr-ive shaft and cooperating with the shoulder andhousing for forming an internal chamber therein for receiving a pastelike material therein, a head member provided on the housing andoppositely disposed from the open end thereof, said head member beingprovided with an internal bore disposed substantially perpendicularlywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a centrallydisposed rod member provided in the head member and integral Itherewithand extending longitudinally through said bore, a central passagewayextending longitudinally through the `rod and into communication with aperpendicularly arranged passageway provided in the head member and incommunication with the chamber, a hub member journalled on the rodmember, a pair of spaced gear `members provided on the outer peripheryof the hub member, a complementary gear Vmember provided on one end ofthe drive shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith and 'in engagementwith the pair of spaced gear `members carried by the hub member fortransmitting rotation to the hub member, cup means CII 1 2 carried bythe hub member and having an internal chamber in communication with thelongitudinal passageway of the rod member, inner peripheral wiping blademeans carried by the drive shaft and driven directly thereby anddisposed within the chamber for urging the paste like material in adirection toward the shoulder upon rotation of the drive shaft in onedirection for ejecting the paste like material from the chamber andthrough the passageways for discharge into the internal chamber of thecup.

8. A dental handpiece comprising a plastic `disposable cartridge havingan internal chamber preloaded with a quantity of paste like material, adrive shaft journalled within the cartridge and extending longitudinallytherethrough, a head member provided on the cartridge and having aninternal bore provided therein, a centrally disposed rod memberyintegral with the head member and extending longitudinally through thebore, passageway means extending through the rod and head member andinto communication ywith the internal chamber, a hub member journalledon the rod member, first gear means carried by the hu-b member, secondgear means carried by the drive shaft and engageable with the first gearmeans for transmitting rotation to the hub member, cup means carried bysaid hub member and rotatable simultaneously therewith, said cup meanshaving an interior chamber in communication with the passageway means,and means carried by the drive shaft and driven thereby forprogressively and continually ejecting the paste like material from the`internal chamber and through the passageway for discharge into theinterior chamber of the cup during rotation of the drive shaft.

9. A dental hnndpiece comprising a plastic disposable housing having aninternal chamber preloaded with a quantity of paste like material, -adrive shaft journalled in the housing and extending longitudinallytherethrough, a head member provided on the housing and having aninternal bore provided therein disposed substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the housing, :a centrally disposed rod memberintegral with the yhead member and extending longitudinally through thebore, a passageway extending longitudinally through the rod `and througha portion of the head member into communication with the linternalchamber, a hub member journalled on the rod member, a pair of oppositelydisposed spaced gear, members provided on the outer periphery of the hubmember, a complementary gear ymember secured on one end of the Idriveshaft and in engagement with the spaced gear members for transmittingrotation from the drive shaft to the hub member, a cup member secured tothe rub member and having an internal chamber in communication with thelongitudinal passageway of the rod member, and means carried by thedrive shaft and operable by the rotation thereof for continuallyejecting the paste like material from the internal cham-ber of thehousing and through the passageway for directing the paste like materialinto the interior chamber of the cup continually during `rotation of thedrive shaft.

10. A dental handpiece as set forth in claim 9 wherein the ejectingmeans includes an inner peripheral wiping blade disposed within theinternal chamber of the housing.

l1. A dental handpiece comprising `a plastic disposable cartridgepreloaded with a paste like material, -means connecting the cartridgewith la rotatable cup member, means extending through the cartridge fortransmitting rotation to the cup member, inner peripheral wiping blademeans `for ejecting the paste like material from the cartridgecontinually during rotation of the cup, and means fo-r directing thepaste like material to the rotatable cup.

12. A plastic disposable dental handpiece comprising a plasticdisposable housing having an internal chamber preloaded with a pastelike material, a plastic disposable head leans carried by the housing, adisposable rotatable cup member carried by the head member, plasticdisposable means extending through the housing and cooperating with thehead means for transmitting rotation to the cup 13 member, and innerperipheral wiping blade means for ejecting the paste like material fromthe internal chamber `and to the rotatable cup member.

13. A plastic `disposable `dental han'dpiece comprising a unitary outerhousing, a chamber provided in the housing `for containing a pre-loadedquantity of a paste like material therein, inner peripheral wiping blademeans journalled in the housing and extending through the chamber andsurrounded by the paste like material, spool means carried by the innerperipheral wiping blade means and rotatable thereby, cup meansjournalled in the housing and engageable with the spool means forrotation thereby, said inner peripheral wiping blade means beingrotatable yfor progressively eject'in-g substantially all of the pastelike material from the chamber, and passageway means ywithin the housingfor providing communication between the chamber and the interior of thecup means whereby the paste like material is continually directed to theinterior of the cup upon rotation of the inner peripheral wiping blademeans.

14. A disposable dental handpiece as set `forth in claim 13 wherein thespool means comprises a rotatable body portion having a plurality `ofradially outwardly extending teeth for engagement with the cup fortransmitting rotation thereto.

15. A disposable dental hand tool comprising an outer housing, a chamberprovided in the housing for receiving a preloaded quantity of a pastelike material therein, a rotatable drive shaft extending into thehousing, a rotatable spiral web member carried by the drive shaft andextending through the chamber, wed-ge means disposed around the shaftfor securing the web member within the chamber, a spool member carriedby the web member and rotatable therewith, a cup member journalledwithin the housing, teeth means provided on the spool member forengaging the cup to transmit rotation thereto, and means providingcommunication between the chamber and the interior of the cup wherebythe paste like material is continuously `directed to the interior of thecup on rotation of the web member.

16. A plastic disposable dental handpiece comprising an outer housin achamber provided in the housing for receiving a preloaded quantity of apaste like material therein, inner peripheral wiping blade meansjournalled in the housing and extending through the chamber, andsurrounded by the paste like material, iirst gear means carried by thespiral inner peripheral wiping blade means and rotatable therewith,second `gear means journalled in the housing and engageable with thefirst gear means for rotation thereby, cup means carried by the secondgear means and rotatable therewith, said inner peripheral wiping blademeans being rotatable yfor ejecting the paste like material from thechamber, and means providing communication between the chamber and theinterior of the cup whereby the paste-like material is continuouslydirected to the interior of the cup during rotation of the innerperipheral wiping blade means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 647,557 4/1900 Crittenden 32--60861,6101 7/1907 Sarver 15-29 1,166,482 1/1916` Reiche 15--29 1,372,3083/1921 MacRae 15-29 1,499,346 7/1924 Chott 32-59 1,554,875 9/1925 Miles15-320 2,202,299 5/19401 Pelkey 32-59 2,226,145 12/1940* Smith 15-292,268,552 1/1942 Rhines 74-417 2,400,912 5/1946` Britt et al. 32-262,469,261 5/1949 Cooper 32-59 2,738,528 3/1956 Fridge 15-97 2,861,46211/1958 Hussar 74-423 2,911,660 1l/1959 Klernas et al 15-28 3,163,9341/1965 Wiseman 32,--27 y 3,192,922 7/ 1965 Winkler 12S-62 3,195,5377/196-5 Blasi 12S-56 FOREIGN PATENTS 332,122 1/1921 Germany.

478,383 6/1929 Germany.

825,787 12/ 1959 Great Britain.

L. W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner'.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Examiner.

Il. W. HlNEY, JR., Assistant Examiner'.

